Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading

Tommy Greenwald; Illustrated by J.P. Coovert

Square Fish

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Charlie Joe Jackson may be the most reluctant reader ever born. And so far, he’s managed to get through life without ever reading an entire book from cover to cover. But now that he’s in middle school, avoiding reading isn’t as easy as it used to be. And when his friend Timmy McGibney decides that he’s tired of covering for him, Charlie Joe finds himself resorting to desperate measures to keep his perfect record intact.This is the hilarious story of an avid non-reader and the extreme lengths to which he’ll go to get out of reading a book.

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1
 

My name is Charlie Joe Jackson, and I hate reading. And if you’re reading this book, you hate reading, too.
In fact, you do whatever you can to avoid reading, and the fact that you’re holding a book in your hand right now is kind of shocking.
I know exactly how you feel; I’m one of you.
Just remember: you are not alone. We’ll get through this together.
 
Text copyright © 2011 by Tommy Greenwald

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Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading

I'd rather eat broccoli for breakfast, go to the dentist (for 62 straight days!), drop a bowling ball on my toe... the list goes on and on... just don't make me read!

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Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading -- Book Excerpt

"Hear an excerpt from the children's book Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald, read by Macleod Andrews. Charlie Joe Jackson may be the most reluctant reader ever born. But now that he’s in middle school, avoiding reading isn’t as easy as it used to be. Learn more about this middle-grade fiction book at http://us.macmillan.com/charliejoejacksonsguidetonotreading/TommyGreenwald Read about author Tommy Greenwald at http://us.macmillan.com/author/tommygreenwald"

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Reviews

Praise for Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading

“In author Tommy Greenwald’s raucous debut…this comedy of comeuppance shows its true colors, and, irony of ironies, is impossible to put down!” --Disney's Family Fun

"A perfect book for the non-reader or reluctant reader in your life...Laugh-out-loud funny, clever, and relevant, I believe Tommy Greenwald has written a book that will appeal to kids of all reading tastes." --ReadKiddoRead.com
 
“This is a fun, fast-moving look at middle-school life through the eyes of a kid who would rather clean his room than pick up a book. Reluctant readers will be pleased.” --SLJ
 
"A delightful choice for reluctant readers...Tommy Greenwald’s writing style is breezy and accessible without being too easy. It is also extremely funny and hard to put down. If the book’s cover showed something blowing up, every reluctant boy reader in middle school would be proud to carry it around while secretly enjoying the nonviolent, straightforward story. Bookworms won’t care; they’ll love it either way." --BookPage
 
"Kids who do peruse the book will enjoy Charlie Joe’s chuckleworthy tips on keeping reading at bay, even if they take exception to his list of “helpful oxymorons: 1. good book, 2. happy reader, 3. important author, 4. nice library, 5. favorite bookstore.” --BCCB
 
"Charlie Joe’s insider knowledge of the inner machinations of middle-school cliques will make younger readers smile in anticipation, and his direct address to readers makes make him feel like an older buddy showing the way…Slackers everywhere have a new, likable hero in Charlie Joe Jackson.” -- Kirkus Reviews
 
"Hilarious...This debut is filled with passages that beg to be shared...With its subversive humor and contemporary details drawn straight from kids’ worlds, this clever title should attract a wide following.” --Booklist, STARRED review
 
"Greenwald pulls off a clever bit of reverse psychology in his debut, first in a series starring a cheeky middle grader who goes to great lengths to avoid reading--and whose humor and rapid-fire delivery should draw in like-minded kids." --Publishers Weekly

In the Press

CHARLIE JOE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO NOT READING by Tommy Greenwald, J.P. CoovertKirkus Book Reviews
Read the Kirkus Review of CHARLIE JOE JACKSON'S GUIDE TO NOT READING . Charlie Joe will do just about anything to avoid reading in this humorous cautionary tale for book-hating middle-grade students.
- Kirkus Reviews

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About the Author

Tommy Greenwald; Illustrated by J.P. Coovert

TOMMY GREENWALD has enjoyed reading all his life, which is why he's appalled that his kids Charlie, Joe and Jack, would prefer getting a dental check-up to checking out a book. After years of pleading, threatening, and bribing, Tommy finally decided the only way to get his kids to read was to write a book about how to get out of reading. This is the result. And they read it! (So they say.) The Executive Creative Director at SPOTCO, an entertainment advertising agency in New York City, Tommy lives in Connecticut with his wife, Cathy; his non-reading sons, Charlie, Joe and Jack; and his dogs, Moose and Coco.Check out Tommy's website (minimal reading required) at www.tommygreenwald.com

Tommy Greenwald
J. P. Coovert

Tommy Greenwald

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Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading
Tommy Greenwald; Illustrated by J.P. Coovert
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Georgia Children’s Book Award Master List (University of GA)

Trade Paperback

Trade Paperback
Square Fish
May 2012
Trade Paperback
ISBN: 9781250003379
ISBN10: 1250003377
Middle-Grade Fiction
5 3/16 x 7 5/8 inches, 240 pages, B&W illustrations
Age Range: 9 to 12
Grade Range: 4 to 7
$6.99
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Hardcover

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Hardcover
Roaring Brook Press
July 2011
Hardcover
ISBN: 9781596436916
ISBN10: 1596436913
Middle-Grade Fiction
5 1/2 x 8 1/4 inches, 224 pages, Black-and-white illustrations
Age Range: 9 to 12
Grade Range: 4 to 7
$14.99
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e-Book Agency

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e-Book Agency
Roaring Brook Press
July 2011
e-Book Agency
ISBN: 9781429976466
ISBN10: 1429976462
Middle-Grade Fiction224 pages, Black-and-white illustrations
Age Range: 9 to 12
Grade Range: 4 to 7
$6.99
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© 2011 Macmillan